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RAYS 



OF THE 



EASTERN STAR 



BY 



HATTIE E. PARMELEE 



THE 

Hbbcy press 

PUBLISHERS 
114 
FIFTH AVENUE 

XonDon NEW YORK Montreal 



CONQRE&o 
[two Oi^wea ftEceivE*] 

DEC, 23 1901 

5LA8S'^ XXc, No.i 
OOPYB. 



Copyright, iqoi, 

by 

THE 

Bbbes press 



:* 



^ 



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f 



TO THE MEMBERS 
OF THE 

ORDER OK THE EASTERN STAR 

THROUGHOUT 

THE UNITED STATES 

THIS VOLUME 

IS FRATERNALLY DEDICATED 

BY THE AUTHOR 

PAST GRAND E. : PAST WORTHY M. : PAST WORTHY A. M. : PAST 

WORTHY COND. : PAST WORTHY A. COND. : PAST 

ADAH : PAST ELECTA. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Ruth the Gleaner 9 

As the Days Go By 12 

Queen Esther 15 

Our Floral Emblem 18 

Electa 20 

Martha 23 

Our Altar 26 

Jephthah's Daughter 28 

Christian Graces 32 

Glimpses of Biblical and Masonic Lore 34 

Comfort One Another 39 



RAYS OF THE EASTERN STAR. 



RUTH THE GLEANER. 

Weary gleaner in the field ; 

Small the gain her toil doth yield ; 

Yet, with earnest heart and hand, 

Firm she walks o'er stubble land. 

Gathering up the scattered grain, 

Strength'of body to sustain. 

Working with a patient will, 

Filial duties to fulfil. 

Not till setting of the sun. 

Will her toilsome task be done. 

Here a little, there a little, 

Culms of barley she doth bring ; 

Gladly now her praises sing. 

9 



10 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

Gentle gleaner in the field, 
Blest reward her toil doth yield ; 
Blest her works of heart and hand, 
Stranger in a stranger land ; 
Precepts deep of faith and truth, 
Learn we of the gleaner, Ruth. 
Lessons sweet of gentleness. 
Come to cheer us, come to bless. 
From the endless ages past. 
Fading not while time shall last. 

Here a little, there a little. 
Let us glean the golden grain, 
Fainting spirit to sustain. 

Gleaner in God's harvest field. 
Small the gain your toil doth yield. 
Judging from our human sight ; 
Yet in heaven's most glorious light, 
Great it may be, none can tell. 
If we learn our lessons well. 
Greater gifts He will impart 
To the longing, faithful heart ; 
Many sheaves of golden grain, 



Ruth the Gleaner. 

In His harvest fields remain. 
Here a little, there a little, 
O'er life's rugged road we may 
Gather up from day to day. 



n 



12 Rays of the Eastern Star. 



AS THE DAYS GO BY. 

Sisters and Brothers, did you feel the 
charm, 
While the days were passing by, 
Of the Prince of Peace in the manger 

born ? 
The song of the angels on Christmas 

morn ? 
Of that life so lowly, His crown, but of 
thorn. 
Who now hath ascended on high ? 

Happy and thankful did you list for the 
tread 
While the wintry days went by ; 
The nearer tread of the Saviour's feet ; 
The King who was coming in glory com- 
plete, 
While lonely hearts were waiting to greet 
The Dayspring of love from on high ? 



As the Days go By. 13 

Joyful and loving did you worship the 
King 
As the beautiful days went by. 
Did you number the blessings about your 

way, 
Heed the injunction to watch and pray, 
And scatter blessings about your way 

With the message of peace from on 
high? 

Loyal and tender, have your hearts been 

stirred 

While the beautiful days passed by ; 

To visit God's poor in their lonely home, 

Give comfort and help for dark days that 

come. 
Make sad eyes grow bright through the 
wintry gloam. 
As the bright holidays went by ? 

If thou hast been faithful in a few small 
things, 
As the beautiful days went by ; 
If thou hast been loyal to duty's behest, 



14 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

By giving unstinted your truest and best, 
To the mourning ones brought comfort 
and rest, 
Then bright shall your days go by. 

Ever let us be true to our lessons learned, 

As our days go rapidly by ; 
May the Star in the East be our guide 

through life, 
That we pass unscathed through clouds 

and strife, 
Looking peacefully back on a useful life, 
As we enter our home on high. 



Queen Esther. 15 



QUEEN ESTHER. 

In her home stands the beautiful Queen 

'Mong hangings of purple and gold, 
With royalty stamped on the sheen 

Of the armor carved and old, 
With painting of costliest worth, 

In setting of gems m.ost rare 
Showing scenes from Persia's vast realm, 

Was the bower of Esther the fair. 

As we gaze in her beautiful face, 

And into her eyes so sad ; 
Her features displaying her race, 

And a childhood merry and glad. 
Reclining on cushions, whose weave 

A glory and richness had wrought ; 
Is the fairest of daughters of Eve, 

Whom the King for her beauty had 
sought. 



1 6 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

On his throne of ivory and gold, 

Surrounded by courtiers wise, 
Who, empyric plans did unfold. 

That the kingdom higher might rise. 
Sat the King whose scepter of might, 

Was wielded with tyrannous hand ; 
His edict had passed that her race 

Should perish throughout the land. 

In her love for kindred and home. 

Heroic with purpose so strong ; 
Full w^illing her life to atone. 

To avert the terrible wrong. 
Unbidden, the beautiful Queen, 

Advanced to the foot of the throne ; 
With robe and wdth crown fitly seen. 

Undaunted, a life work had done. 

Making known her request to the King, 
With a graceful wave of the hand. 

As h'er royal apparel she touched 
With a resolute manner and bland. 

The King on his throne of gold 
With the council gathered around, 



Queen Esther. 17 

His edict reversed, we are told ; 
Queen Esther his favor had found. 

Of Persia's fair Queen may we learn 

Courageous to join heart and hand 
In love for our dear native home, 

And our preciously held household 
band, 
And with purpose of heart let us dare 

To brave indignation and scorn, 
In our brother's woes let us share. 

That life may be bright as the morn. 



1 8 Rays of the Eastern Star. 



OUR FLORAL EMBLEM. 

" Your voiceless lips, 
Oh, flowers, are living teachers." 

A DARKENED room, a sister dear, 
Our faithful friend Hes silent here, 
So cold, so still, all sorrow past, 
Exchanged the cross for crown at last. 

Bring flowers bright 

To cheer our night. 

Another link in chain of Star, 
Has passed beyond to realms afar ; 
The vacant chair seems e'er to say. 
So soon we all must pass away. 

Sweet flowers bring. 

Her praises sing. 

In loving w^orks, in influence sweet. 
To sing her praise were just and meet ; 
To obligations faithful, true. 
To honor, right and justice too. 



Our Floral Emblem. 19 

Flowers our love 
A tribute prove. 

To custom true, our Floral Star, 
Blest tribute of the love we bear, 
We'll place above her honored head 
Upon the casket's narrow bed ; 

Five colors blend 

For her our friend. 

Blue, symbol of all that's true ; 

Yellow^, to right and justice faithful too ; 

Green, for home and friends we dare to 

die ; 
White, hope points to immortality ; 

Red, works of love 

Our precepts prove. 

Our emblem speaks, though death the 

chain 
Has snapped asunder once again. 
Yet we will trust with Martha's faith : 
Our souls shall soar when called by death. 

To heavenly bowers 

Of fadeless flowers. 



20 Rays of the Eastern Star. 



ELECTA. 

In the days of ancient sages, 
In the years of martyr fires, 

When the monarch's rule was cruel. 
And the smoke of funeral pyres 

Sent a smoky gloom around ; 

Came a message from a preacher. 

Came the welcome gladdening sound 

" One there cometh, no one worthy 
E'en to stoop t' unclasp His shoes, 

He shall be the great Deliverer, 
Who shall all our shackles loose." 

Many hopes new born did ring. 

Looking for the coming Saviour, 
Many hearts His praise did sing. 

After weary expectations. 

Came there One of lowly birth. 
Came to reign in humble station, 



Electa. 21 

Came to bless the poor of earth ; 
Darkened souls were brought to light 

Through the influence of His power, 
Sunshine came to cheer their night. 

From among the heathen nations, 
One bright soul shone as a star, 

She was called the elect lady 
For her deeds of kindness rare ; 

Led by Christ, her holy joy, 

Filled with love for Him she suffered 

Persecutions to destroy. 

Yet her Christian faith was mighty, 
For the Roman soldiers bore 

Holy cross, Christ's precious emblem, 
With command its power t' ignore ; 

Pressing it unto her breast. 

With the faith of saintly martyr. 

There she found deep peace and rest. 

We may not be called to suffer 

Persecution's cruel blow. 
But there's cause for being loyal, 



22 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

Truth has always wary foe 
Lurking near our daily path, 

Let endurance be the watchword, 
Soon shall reign the power of truth. 

Pure Electa, well beloved 

For the noble life she gave, 
Whose example we should follow 

Hoping thus some soul to save, 
Striving still to bear the cross ; 

For the crown shines in the gloaming 
And we count all else but dross. 



Martha. 23 



MARTHA. 

Gone from sight a brother dear, 
Hearts bereaved and full of fear ; 
Jesus knows, though far away, 
All your sorest needs to-day. 
He has counted all your grief, 
Wait, and He will bring relief. 
He will banish all your fears, 
Gently wipe away your tears. 

Lo, He comes ! and Martha's feet 

Quickly fly her Lord to meet. 

" Dearest friend ! Hadst Thou been here, 

Death had spared my brother dear." 

List ! Above all doubt and pain 

*' He shall surely rise again." 

" I know, my Lord, in that great day 

When heaven and earth shall pass away. 

His bright, pure spirit then shall rise 



24 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

To join the angels in the skies. 
I would that Thou shouldst ask of God 
For strength to bear the chastening rod." 
O, wondrous depth of living faith, 
Unfaltering e'en in sight of death ! 

See ! beside the new made grave 
Jesus stands with power to save. 
Angels bending from the throne 
View with awe God's only Son. 
Heavenly harps are hushed and still 
While He does His Father's vv^ill. 
Lo ! He weeps. O, Lord Divine ; 
Lo ! He prays with face ashine. 
List that voice : '' Come forth," He said. 
From the grave appeared the dead. 
Sorrow now is turned to joy, 
Grief to balm without alloy ; 
Faith to sight was then restored, 
Martha's faith in Christ her Lord. 

Hark ! the angel voices sing. 
Loud the heavenly arches ring ; 
Harps attuned to holy praise, 



Martha. 25 

Louder still their anthems raise, 

Till, from heaven's blest, wave-beat shore 

Songs shall echo evermore. 

Weary ones, so sore distrest 

Wait on Christ for perfect rest. 

Lessons take from Martha's faith, 

Triumphing e'en over death. 

Lose the bands of doubt and strife, 

Then come forth to truest life. 

Sure, though columns fair be riven 

All will be complete— in heaven. 



26 Rays of the Eastern Star. 



OUR ALTAR. 

Beautiful altar, shrine of prayer, 
Tenderest thoughts as we gather there ; 
Beautiful hopes to us are given. 
Forgetting the world and looking to 

heaven. 
Humble our hearts as we lowly kneel. 
Asking our Father to set His seal 
Of love and forgiveness upon the past. 
No more to stray while life shall last. 

Beautiful altar : hand clasped in hand, 
Joining the chain of Chapter band ; 
Sweet are the strains as voices blend 
In song and praise to Him our Friend. 
Saddened our thoughts as we ever know, 
Links must be severed here below ; 
Over the river, one by one. 
Vacant our places, life's labor done. 



Our Altar. 27 

Beautiful altar within the star, 
Instructive lessons radiate there ; 
Effulgence of wisdom, truth and love 
Gilding the way to our home above. 
Beautiful altar, His word thy crown ; 
Glorious promises handed down ; 
Book of books, a lamp to our feet, 
Capstone of devotion, rich and complete. 

Help of the sorrowing, strength to the 

weak, 
Light of our pathway, counsel we seek ; 
Pride and rebellion all laid down. 
Our central figure : altar and crown. 
Beautiful altar, shrine of pra3^er. 
Angelic whisperings hover there ; 
Visions celestial ope to our eyes ; 
Home of the weary, sweet Paradise. 



28 Rays of the Eastern Star. 



ADAH, OR JEPHTHAH'S 
DAUGHTER. 

On Mizpah's plains the torrid sun 

Poured forth its rays with burning 
power, 
Ten thousand warriors gathered there 
With sword and spear, that noontide 
hour. 
With armor bright their leader brave 
On prancing steed impatient waits, 
While hosts pour forth from country 
'round, 
And from the cities' open gates. 

" To war ! to war ! " their leader called ; 

A warrior brave, warlike and bold ; 
" We'll slay by thousands," Jephthah cried, 

As proud he sat in robe of gold. 
The trumpet sounds, battalions form. 



Adah, Or Jephthah's Daughter. 29 

A mighty shout goes up on high ; 
Their leader scans the surging crowd ; 
" Be brave ! " cried Jephthah, " dare or 
die ! " 

Their leader bowed his mighty head, 

And clasped his hands across his breast ; 
He saw his need, rash vow he made : — 

If God would grant His people rest, 
A vanquished foe, to him renown ; 

(For he, though brave, was selfish still,) 
The first who from his door should come 

To welcome him, with free good will 
Should be the Lord's ; a sacrifice ; 

An offering, perchance of blood ! 
The vow was made with earnest heart. 

While mighty warriors round him stood. 

The trumpet sounds, the hosts go forth — 
Thousands are slain— the victory gained; 

The plaudits of the multitude 

Upon the head of Jephthah rained. 

He neared his home, his awful vow 
Returned to him with ten-fold power ; 



30 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

Oh God ! who heard the prayer he made, 
Forsake him not in this dark hour. 

Behold, his home is decked with flowers, 

And lovely maidens circle round 
With flashing robes and graceful steps, 

While sweetly forth the timbrels sound; 
And from among the merry throng. 

With bounding step and noble mien, 
Fair Adah, decked in richest robe. 

Foremost to welcome him is seen ! 

Then Jephthah bowed his w^eary head 

And smote upon his troubled breast ; 
'' Alas ! alas ! the vow I made ! 

Farewell to honor, peace and rest ! " 
" My father, let your vow be paid, 

Nor think I shrink the doom to meet, 
Your pledge to God must be fulfilled ; 

My life I lay down at thy feet." 

Then out among the mountains deep. 
Where Nature speaks with soothing 
balm, 



Adah, Or Jephthah's Daughter. 31 

She bode for many weary months, 

Till struggling soul grew strong and 
calm ; 

Then bravely met the saddest fate 
That could be met ; for father's hand 

Must deal the blow ; yet firm she stood, 
The heroine of Mizpah's land. 

No veil to cover saintly face 

Would she allow ; w^th her ow^n hands 
She cast it off ; with gaze upturned 

She met her fate ; so break life's bands. 
A type of filial w^omanhood, 

Her name is sung from near and far, 
A daughter true of noble blood, 

Fair Adah of the Eastern Star. 



32 Rays of the Eastern Star. 



CHRISTIAN GRACES. 

Let us be kind,— 
For time moves on apace 

With hastening steps; 
Soon each famihar face 
E'en those we love 
Shall vanish as the dew each from his 
place; 
Let us be kind. 

Let us be true, — 
With armor clean and bright 

Help on the right; 
Though foes each day assail 

To draw away; 
If firm our feet are fixed upon the Rock. 

We will be true. 

Let us be pure, — 
Ne'er breathe a thought of blame, 



Christian Graces. 33 

We may have sinned; 
Let charity forever reign 
And rule our hearts; 
We will not judge our fellow man too 
hard 
If we are pure. 

Let us forgive, — 

The bitter words that pierce our 

hearts 

Try to forget ; 

Our Saviour knows the sacrifice 

That we must make; 

If we would be by Him forgiven, 

We must forgive. 
3 



LofC. 



34 Rays of the Eastern Star. 



GLIMPSES OF BIBLICAL AND 
MASONIC LORE. 

Let us wander back through cycles of 
time 
And roam o'er the land of prophet and 
sage; 
Some beautiful truths we w^ould weave in 
a rhyme 
And jot them down on the blank white 
page. 
Throughout time's long space great 
changes w^e meet; 
Upheaval of nations, war's death-deal- 
ing tide- 
God's voice as a trumpet guiding the feet 
Of Israel's glad hosts through the desert 
wide. 

As they marched towards the land prom- 
ised so long, 



Biblical and Masonic Lore. 35 

And quenched their thirst from the rude 
cleft rock, 
Faith wavering and weak, then sometimes 
more strong, 
So weary grown as their leader to 
mock. 
But journeying on through sorrow and 
pain, 
With pillar of cloud and with fire by 
night, 
So faithfully led far from Pharaoh's 
reign, . 
So tenderly kept through Jehovah's 
might, 
Far from the power of Egyptian king, 
In Caanan's fair land in peace they 
might dwell; 
And many long years marching on did 
they sing 
Of the bright homes whose joy no 
tongue could tell. 
Then we wander down through vistas of 
time 



36 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

And list to the song of the Psalmist of 
old, 
And behold in his life the wonderful line 

Which had been, 3^ears agone, by proph- 
ets foretold. 

Sweet singer of Israel ! how much of 
heart cheer 
And comfort and peace thy cadences 
bring ! 
How they scatter the gloom, dispel every 
fear, 
Bring peace to the soul and a new song 
we sing ! 
For oft doth the heart grow weary of 
earth, 
Oft would we rest by the side of the 
way; 
To that Fountain we flee, for there is no 
dearth 
Of its power to change our night into 
day. 

We hasten through scenes of Biblical lore 



Biblical and Masonic Lore. 37 

And stand on the height where His hand 
did guide; 
See Pisgah's grand mount, view Caanan's 
lands o'er; 
With rapture look up over Sinai's rough 
side, 
Then climb to the crest of the mount 
w^here stands 
The Temple that Solomon built to the 
Lord, 
Through wisdom and skill and the work 

of men's hands, 
Following faithful their brave leader's 
word. 

Sacred old fane — in that structure we find 

Lessonn of true and genuine worth, 
Historical treasures to broaden the mind 
From its deepest study, are called into 
birth, 
For ** No sound of axe or of hammer was 
heard," 
So true to a ime w^ere the pieces 

WTOUght— 



38 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

" All polished and bright," not a stone 
should be blurred; 
Thus were the laborers carefully taught. 

We are builders for God; for a temple we 
rear 
Out of talents more precious than rich- 
est mine. 
We should prize above rubies His gifts so 
dear, 
And never forgot to be " true to a line." 
May we build to His name a temple so 
pure. 
So polished and gilded with beautiful 
thought, 
So rounded and perfect, we may be sure 
That to jeweled setting we at last may 
be brought. 



Comfort One Another. 39 



COMFORT ONE ANOTHER. 

Comfort one another — 
While your days are bright and joyous, 

While your heart is light, 

Hopeful, strong and glad ; 
Steal the choicest, holiest moments 

For the sick and sad ; 

One little act of kindness 
E'en the angels stoop to bless, 
And your life will grow more perfect ; 
Do those deeds with saintly meaning. 

There's a sure reward. 

Comfort one another — 
For the hours are drawing nearer 

In your happy life 

Free from shade of sin ; 
When your heart will feel the burden 

Of life's toil and din ; 
You may not know the heart pangs 



40 Rays of the Eastern Star. 

In your sister's life so sad ; 
Oh what joy in being helpful — 
Speak some word of comfort gladly 
Ere it be too late. 

Comfort one another — 
For the storms are beating wildly, 

And the heart grows faint 

With their rush and din ; 
And the darkness gathers deeper 

O'er the ways of sin ; 
One little word of warning 
May some peace and comfort bring 
To the heart that tends to evil ; 
Speak a word to prove you're loyal 
To the vows you made. 

Comfort one another — 
When the tide is surely ebbing, 
And the heart beats slow, 
And the sight grows dim, 
Whisper soothing balm of comfort ; 
Speak the praise of Him 
Who doeth all things well ; 



Comfort One Another. 41 

Wipe the death-dew tenderly, 
Press the palsied hand, 
Show a sister's warm affection. 
Obligation's deep command ; 
Then your way will shine most golden 
As you sink to rest. 




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